From identification to practitioners’ assessment

Abstract

Background and Aim. The performance of corporate real estate management (CREM) is a complex process involving the alignment of different resources and activities, meaning that it is influenced by different factors. Knowledge about these factors and their significance in practice remains under-researched. This paper aims to identify and assess the factors influencing the performance of CREM. Methods and Data. An integrative approach of theory and practice was followed. First, the factors influencing the performance of CREM were inductively identified through a literature study. Second, a questionnaire was developed and conducted to deductively test the significance of the identified factors from the perspective of 33 CRE practitioners in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, using the relative importance index as an assessment indicator. Results. The literature study identified 33 factors and categorized them into four groups, namely: managerial affairs; physical and spatial aspects; economic and financial aspects; and the real estate market. The questionnaire results indicate that the availability of management plan(s) and strategy of the business, availability of a plan for facilities planning and management, the structural integrity of the properties, and the occupancy (supply and demand) indicators have been perceived as the most influential factors. Originality. The paper contributes to bridging the gap between the theory and practice of CREM by defining the factors influencing the process, followed by empirical evidence of their significance. Practical Implications. The results provide CRE practitioners with a knowledge base to enhance CREM